Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017 discussion

Feel free to ask if you are not sure about something related to the Group, navigating GoodReads, or beyond. Anyone can respond and are encouraged to do so.

I bought a book subscription box that was Jane Austen themed. The book that came in the box is a modern adaptation of P&J. Will it work for the challenge?

Jennifer wrote: "I bought a book subscription box that was Jane Austen themed. The book that came in the box is a modern adaptation of P&J. Will it work for the challenge?

[bookcover:The Secret Diary of Lizzie Ben..."

Absolutely! Have you watched the Lizzie Bennet Diary podcasts on YouTube? They are a hoot. This is the companion book.

Sophia wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I bought a book subscription box that was Jane Austen themed. The book that came in the box is a modern adaptation of P&J. Will it work for the challenge?

[bookcover:The Secret Di..."


I have not. Should I watch them before reading the book?

I read the book and I would have been lost a bit without having watched the serial. This book seems to follow the main thread of the show while offering extensions to several scenes.

So yeah, probably a good idea to see the on-line stuff or at least a good part of it first.

Jennifer wrote: "I have not. Should I watch them before reading the book?"

WATCH IT! :-) It's super fun, and it's in easily digestible chunks, so you can watch as much or as little at a time as you like. (Though, honestly, I had a hard time watching just a little....)

Yeah, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries are addictive, and then there are even companion podcasts you can watch by Lydia. It won all kinds of awards for online/social network storytelling. I enjoyed the book, too, but not as much as the online series.

Jennifer wrote: "I bought a book subscription box that was Jane Austen themed. The book that came in the box is a modern adaptation of P&J. Will it work for the challenge?

[bookcover:The Secret Diary of Lizzie Ben..."

This is on my TBR for 2017 as well. I still need to watch the series, and everyone I talk to says watch it first. Looks like we will be doing this one together!

Thanks everyone. I'll watch the online stuff before reading the book.

Has anyone read ? It sounds "funny" and I've requested that my library get the ebook. LOL

I haven't, but I think I saw a review on it. It is definitely meant as a spoofy mash up one. Hope it's entertaining for you.

Does books that are mentioned in Austen's book count? After reading Northanger Abby I grabbed the audio copy of
The Mysteries of Udolpho.

Also is Jane Eyre an Austen-like book? I have it on audio as well.

The Jane Eyre wouldn't. It's Bronte. But yeah, you could count The Mysteries of Udolpho. I've heard some of the Regency gothics are tough going, but can be amusing, too. This one is. I've read bits of it.

Jennifer wrote: "Thanks everyone. I'll watch the online stuff before reading the book.

Has anyone read ? It sounds "funny" and I've requested that my library ..."

Okay that just looks funny! I may be checking that out when I need a laugh

Heard of it but did not read it but then I did not read the original 50 Shades either.

Sheila wrote: "Heard of it but did not read it but then I did not read the original 50 Shades either."

I didn't read the original either. Not my cup of tea, but this looks to funny to pass up.

I'm not certain if it was this book, but I was curious enough to get a sample of something that sounds like this a few years ago. (I note this came out in 2012, so it may be the same one.) I found the description humorous enough for a sample-length read, but I was glad I didn't spring for the entire book. The sample was enough for me to chuckle a bit here and there, but by the time I finished it I wasn't interested in reading any more. In the one I was sampling, Mrs. Bennet was a dominatrix whipping Mr. Bennet (and he was enjoying it enthusiastically) in early scenes.

That is a total turn off. I know some enjoy that but not M/M Bennet.

Sheila wrote: "That is a total turn off. I know some enjoy that but not M/M Bennet." Yewwwwwww. I agree...

....and now you know why I had no interest in getting the book after reading the sample!

I've been ill all week, I don't think I'll be recovering any time soon with that image in my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debbie wrote: "I'm not certain if it was this book, but I was curious enough to get a sample of something that sounds like this a few years ago. (I note this came out in 2012, so it may be the same one.) I found ..."

-K maybe not

I wasn't sure where to put this. It's not really a question but found this challenge some of you might be interested in.

http://www.firstimpressionsreviews.co...

That's neat, Jennifer!

I'll add it to the Promotion Place area, too.

I’m having a little technical problem with this group. Instead of sending me a notification every time someone posts, I get a once-a-day summary of all the posts in this group. This doesn’t happen with any of my other groups.

Could it be because it’s a 2017 group and we’re not in 2017 yet? Any insights about this problem that anybody can share would be greatly appreciated!

Abigail wrote: "I’m having a little technical problem with this group. Instead of sending me a notification every time someone posts, I get a once-a-day summary of all the posts in this group. This doesn’t happen ..."

Hi, Abigail - You can do that by changing your group membership settings.

Here's how to do that if you're viewing on the computer:
1) On the home page for the group, just under the group description, right next to "You are a member", click "Edit Membership".
2) On the "My Membership" page, scroll down to the "GROUP DISCUSSION UPDATE EMAILS" heading, and click "edit group discussion updates".
3) On the "Topics I'm Following In Group" page, change the setting for "all topics in group" from "digest" to "individual".

Hope that helps!

@ LadyMurmur

Thanks, Lady Murmur!
Checking the settings in case they reset on their own was going to be my suggestion.

@Abigail
That's a bummer, Abigail. Hopefully, it is an easy fix and just the settings b/c the year of the group is just my title for the group and shouldn't effect how you get the updates.

Thank you so much, ladymurmur! I had found the “Edit Membership” button but not the “Group Discussion Update Emails” link at the bottom. When I went there, I discovered that one of my settings was marked “Digest,” which was probably the problem. That was very helpful! I hate to miss anything in a delightful Sophia-run group, with so many charming companions.

Good evening! I am in the hunt for unusual Austen variations, does anyone have any suggestions? I have been reading Austen variations since 2005 and now I am searching for variations that are different and not just rehash of the original story. Thanks in advance for your time.

Myra wrote: "Good evening! I am in the hunt for unusual Austen variations, does anyone have any suggestions? I have been reading Austen variations since 2005 and now I am searching for variations that are diffe..."

Myra, I recommend checking out Bad Austen: The Worst Stories Jane Never Wrote. It's a collection of fan-submitted short story variations: some amazing, some awful (but oh so funny!).

Chelsea wrote: "Myra, I recommend checking out Bad Austen: The Worst Stories Jane Never Wrote. It's a collection of fan-submitted short story variations: some amazing, some awful (but oh so funny!)."

Oh, wow! I haven't come across this one, but after looking at the GoodReads description, I have GOT to have this since it contains a story with Mr. Darcy heading up the Starship Enterprise. And--SCORE!!-- it's free with Kindle Unlimited. Thanks for the tip, Chelsea!!

Howdy, Myra!

There are so many that are very different, at least to me, but maybe you mean even more different. Haha! Honestly, most of the variations I've read would fit the 'different and not just a rehash' requirement. One I came across when I first started reading Austenesque and JAFF was Lavina Angell's The Sheik of Araby. Try that one for really different.

Myra wrote: "Good evening! I am in the hunt for unusual Austen variations, does anyone have any suggestions? I have been reading Austen variations since 2005 and now I am searching for variations that are diffe..."

Other possibilities:
Proud and Prejudicial: A Modern-Day Reimagining
Darcy and Elizabeth: Fair Trade
The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy
Longbourn's Songbird
Waking to Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Lady Carpathian and the Bennets

There are so many others, but all of these are pretty outside the box. I agree with Sophia about The Sheik of Araby: Pride and Prejudice in the Desert, too. I still need to read the sequel to that. (Note to self....)

I don’t know if you like stories with a paranormal element, Myra, but if you do, try Karalynne Mackrory’s Haunting Mr. Darcy - A Spirited Courtship.

Does anyone have any experience with the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society? They are starting their winter pen friends session and I'm thinking about joining but I'm a little intimidated.

That's new to me, Kim. Maybe some one else can chime in for you.

It does sound like a neat idea.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! I definitely see some that I might like.

Just looked that up Kim and it's new to me too. I'd like also to hear if anyone else knows about it.

Myra, another thought for "unusual" JAFF is Lost in Austen. It's less of a retelling but is unique in using the choose-your-own-adventure story. It's entertaining. I was slightly disappointed that is was more or less P&P with some detours into other stories based on your choices as I was hoping for more of a mix of all books, but worth the read for the novelty of it.

Kim wrote: "Does anyone have any experience with the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society? They are starting their winter pen friends session and I'm thinking about joining but I'm a little intimidated."

This is the first I've heard of it, but I'm fascinated and tempted...and also a little intimidated, too. It's been so long since I communicated with anyone through letters, and since I had a pen pal of any sort.

I'm on amazon and have a question. what is match price for kindle books? how does it work? I'm looking at a book for 5.99 but it's match book price is 2.99

I think it has to do with finding the book at a lower price somewhere else and letting Amazon know so they can 'match' that price. But how exactly it works, I haven't really investigated.

It has to do with buying the print edition first and then getting a deal on the kindle edition.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/ep-...

Good hunting, Eliza. :)

My Google-Fu is strong.

Buahaha!

And the Force is with you?

If only. The Force would come in handy SO OFTEN.

No kidding.

Not really sure where I should post this but my husband brought it to my attention just now and thought I should share. The Harvard magazine this month has an article be Spencer Lenfield with Deidre Lynch on the Jane Austen cult titles, "Feelings Ought to Be Investigated." It is a sizeable article and looks great.

Oh neat! Thanks so much, Talia!

I'll have to look it up. I'm not familiar with either of those names, but the topic is obviously of interest.

I think I'll cut and paste your news and put it under Promo Place.

Sophia wrote: "Oh neat! Thanks so much, Talia!

I'll have to look it up. I'm not familiar with either of those names, but the topic is obviously of interest.

I think I'll cut and paste your news and put it under..."

I know her from the annotated Mansfield Park. https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...